Use this teaching guide for unmounted lessons that teach Yellow Level HorseSense students to confidently identify factors that would cause them to seek veterinary assistance, including: heavy bleeding, lacerated wounds requiring stitches, deep punctures, wounds in critical areas (such as eyes and joints), heat and swelling (especially in tendons), unexplained lameness, and signs of colic/choke/illness.
Horse care is full of judgment calls, such as deciding whether or not your horse needs veterinary attention. The desire to avoid an unnecessary bill must be carefully balanced with the potentially disastrous consequences of postponing important treatment.
Revised in 2025. It’s a big, scary topic, and we think it is the most important objective for Yellow Level students to learn.
Lessons cover:
- normal TPR range for a horse, and how to take TPR.
- different types of equine injuries and distress signals.
- which injuries can be handled with minor treatment and which need veterinary attention.
Teaching tips include:
- creative ideas for teaching this topic with both private and group lessons.
- suggested Challenge materials (games, worksheets, etc.) and other teaching tools.
- strategies for adapting for your unique teaching situation.
